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WISN 12 News has learned the 23-year-old suspect, who WISN 12 News is not naming because she hasn't been charged yet, entered the freeway system at Interstate 794 and Van Buren Street at about midnight, heading westbound in the eastbound lanes.

The sheriff's department said her headlights were off. She drove about two and a half miles, passing through the Marquette Interchange before slamming into the 31-year-old Officer Josh Albert's car head-on near 30th Street.

The Department of Transportation Operations Center has video of the actual crash, but told WISN 12 News it can't release it because its part of an ongoing investigation. Albert's relatives have asked for privacy.

"I first heard about it when I was having my morning coffee and didn't realize it was a police officer," said Mike Crivello of the Milwaukee Police Association .

Crivello's been in touch with Albert's family as well as fellow officers, who he said are all hoping for the best. He asked the community for their prayers and for answers to an all too common problem.

"Absolutely it was an accident that could've been prevented. Way too often, we're having these type of accidents, and this is one of the more egregious ones. You have a person going the wrong way on the freeway," Crivello said.

According to Milwaukee police, Albert became a police officer in March 2009 and received a Meritorious Service Award from Chief Edward A. Flynn in 2011 for an outstanding arrest. He is assigned to District 3.

WISN 12 News has learned investigators know where the woman was drinking Tuesday night but aren't releasing it. 12 News has learned a blood test showed her blood-alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit.

The sheriff's department said it is seeking several charges against the woman driver, including injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle and recklessly endangering safety.

Three lanes of the interstate were closed until 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

This was the 20th wrong-way driver incident on Milwaukee County freeways this year.

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